PNNL

Abstract

Polymorphic titania nanoparticles, prepared by a Water-based Ambient Condition Sol (WACS) process, were post-treated by a Solvent-based Ambient Condition Sol (SACS) process in sec-butanol. All samples were characterized for phase composition, surface area, lattice hydroxyl contamination, and particle morphology by X-ray diffraction, N2 physisorption, FT-IR, solid state Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) 1H NMR and scanning electron microscopy. The resultswerecompared to acommercial titania, Degussa P25. Evaluation of methyl orange degradation under UV irradiation results showed that the lower lattice hydroxyl content in SACS titania nanoparticles enhances photocatalytic activity. As-prepared titania and post-treated SACS samples, which have similar surface areas and crystallinity, were compared in order to prove that the superior photocatalytic activity came from a reduction in lattice hydroxyl content.